Gorilla Trekking in Uganda from Masaka Town : Masaka Town, a traditional and energetic city in central Uganda, is primarily populated by Buganda tribe members. The city has expanded steadily, which has greatly aided in the expansion and improvement of the travel and tourism industry.
Several NGOs and the Uganda Tourism Board have put forth a means of how the country’s visitors can access a number of tourism destinations directly from this town including Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga National Park meant for gorilla trekking activities. Without a doubt, from Masaka town, one can trek the critically endangered mountain gorillas in these two gorilla trekking destinations.
Gorilla Trekking In Uganda.
Uganda has experienced nothing but growth and success with gorilla trekking safari, which is the most popular tourist activity there. Every traveler’s dream activity in Uganda is undoubtedly the top choice and has garnered international attention.
Uganda is home to the majority of the remaining mountain gorillas in the wild, making it one of the three countries that protect this endangered primate species. There are only two locations in Uganda where one can go gorilla trekking; these are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park, both of which are located in the country’s southwest. Of the approximately one thousand mountain gorillas left in the world, Uganda is home to nearly half of them.
The great Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda is home to the greatest number of these human-like primate species, with about 568 gorilla individuals, 23 gorilla group families, and two available for gorilla habituation experiences. The renowned “Nyakagezi family” is the only gorilla family that Mgahinga National Park is home to.
The two locations for gorilla trekking become nearly unreachable during the busiest time of year, when tourists from both abroad and domestically seek out the exceptional opportunity to interact with the critically endangered mountain gorillas. On the other hand, gorilla trekking in Uganda provides tourists with an additional chance to see different wildlife, such as buffalo, elephant herds, beautiful bird species, and the calming African flora.
All gorilla trekking activities kick off with a small guiding briefing and then each group of eight visitors is allocated to track and locate one particular gorilla group family and restricted to spend only one hour with it once tracked.
In order to fully enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of gorilla trekking in Uganda, guests must stay for a minimum of three days on the tour. The first day of the tour can be spent taking a lengthy drive to the gorilla trekking destinations, which are located in the southwest of the country in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. The exploration of Uganda’s beauty the pearl of Africa comes with the long journey.
The breathtaking vistas of the nation’s magnificent game parks, like Lake Mburo along Masaka Road, are truly amazing. The wildlife is exceptional and offers breathtaking views of herds of elephants, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, and impalas. The breathtaking scenery, which includes towering mountains, clean waterways, and a diverse array of flora, contributes to the ultimate enjoyment of the Uganda gorilla trekking safari.
Day 2 is intentionally for gorilla trekking activities where visitors are briefed on the dos and don’ts before being grouped and allocated on which particular gorilla family to track.
Some of the advantages of gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga from Masaka town than Entebbe include cheaper transport costs and saving time when traveling.
Travellers can fly from Entebbe to Kihihi airstrip, which is the quickest route to Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. The flight takes approximately one hour. The two locations for gorilla trekking are eight to nine hours’ drive from Entebbe. The distance between Entebbe and Bwindi National Park is approximately 540 km.
It only takes 7 hours to cover the 364.7km distance between Masaka and Bwindi via the Masaka-Mbarara highway.
Gorilla Trekking Packing List, Rules and Regulations.
As a result, visitors should make sure they pack necessary items for gorilla trekking activities and abide by the rules and regulations set forth by park rangers and tour guides. Although gorilla trekking is an expensive and demanding activity, it is an exciting experience that is well worth the money.
It is recommended that visitors bring enough water to drink and simple packed food because the activity involves long treks that require a lot of energy to hike.
Because hiking routes can be muddy and slippery, it’s best to wear comfortable shoes. Because weather patterns can change quickly, warm clothing should also be packed. Jackets and long stockings are also necessities. Visitors can make the most of this exhilarating activity by dressing appropriately for gorilla trekking.
Additionally, trekkers are advised to observe and abide by the guidelines and instructions given to them by tour guides and rangers. These guidelines include maintaining a 7-meter distance and refraining from approaching the tracked gorillas up close once they are located.
Trekkers are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke in the presence of gorillas as this would spark the primates attention leading to unintended attacks.
Since children under the age of fifteen are more likely to contract illnesses like the flu and cough, which pose a serious risk to primates, all trekkers should be older than fifteen.
